Augustine focus of campaign probe

Thursday, July 1, 2004 | 10:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Controller Kathy Augustine confirmed Wednesday that she has been the target of an investigation by the state attorney general's office into allegations of political campaign violations.

Augustine, now in her second term, said the probe involves charges that her former secretary typed campaign documents in 2002 during state time and on the state computer.

The law says "a public officer or employee shall not use governmental time, property, equipment or other facility to benefit his personal or financial interest."

"There is nothing criminal and there is no malfeasance," said Augustine.

Tom Sargent, spokesman for Attorney General Brian Sandoval, would not comment on the report that the office conducted an investigation.

The ethics commission, according to government sources, would have the power to start impeachment proceedings to remove Augustine from office if it found the allegations were true.

"I'll probably take a hit from the ethics commission," Augustine said.

The controller said the complaint was filed in January or February 2003 by her former secretary, Jennifer Normington. Augustine said she learned about the allegation in January of this year.

Normington typed some campaign documents on a state computer while working on state time. Augustine said the documents included questionnaires and biographies, and she said the secretary was given implicit directions to do the work on her own time.

"But when something like this happens, the buck stops here," said Augustine. "I want to see it resolved and move on."

Normington could not be located for comment. Augustine said "a big part of the problem" was that Normington was not doing her state job and received a reprimand. She called Normington a "disgruntled" employee who resigned, went to work for another state agency and then left that job.

"We told her (Normington) not to do it on state time. She was told to do it after hours," said Augustine, a Republican and a former state senator from Las Vegas.

Normington said today she has been advised not to comment because the investigation is ongoing. Campaign records show Normington donated $220 to Augustine in December 2001. That contribution, said Normington was at a silent auction in a jewelry store in Reno to raise campaign funds for Augustine.

She declined to say whether Augustine offered to pay her if she did the campaign work on her own time.

Sources close to the investigation said other employees in the controller's office may have done work for the boss.

Although the complaint was apparently filed in early 2003, Augustine said she did not learn about it until six months ago. She said she has not seen a final written report from the attorney general's office.